Clues from Nature

In the last newsletter, I introduced the idea of communing with your Ancestors. While we all think of “blood relatives” when we think “Ancestors,” – I want to remind you that plants are, in fact, our oldest ancestors. For that reason, you should commune with plants!

One of the most common things I hear people talking about at Curio, Craft & Conjure includes “signs.” Some people think everything is a “sign,” while others would know a “sign” if it bopped them over the head. (Think Jim Carrey in the 2003 movie Bruce Almighty!)

Signs or “clues” from Spirit are around us all the time.

The most obvious clues that I have learned to honor in my life for emotional well-being are signs from Nature – including but not exclusive to plants. Moon Cycles and Seasons are HUGE clues! If recognized, they advise/remind us to follow the rhythms or patterns of life.

For example, as a season, Fall is when we see the leaves change color and detach from trees. Many of us recognize and celebrate the passing of Summer, the coming of Winter, and honor our dead.

That sounds morbid to many, but after losing SO many people – who were my “anchors” in my life, I look forward to the thinning of the veil, honoring and reflecting on those “on the other side” that I miss and love. Halloween was always my favorite Holy-Day, even as a child – but even more so now that I have so many loved ones on my invisible support team.

Fall is also the time of “gathering.” Historically, people would collect their crops to prepare for Winter, but I like to collect my books and decide what I will be learning during the snuggly Winter months.

I like to collect my thoughts to get ready to switch gears.

I collect my Fall clothes and put away summer stuff.

This year, I am also taking the time to plan how I’ll keep myself healthy and happy to avoid falling into the emotional boozy trap of the Holiday Season.

In my neighborhood, people clear their yard of leaves – but I take this time to clear my altar.

An altar is not just a doorway or liminal space, but it is also an expression of who you are. It is a place where you pray, perform rituals, and where your dead and other entities you work with can share their knowledge with you.

Many people are happy to tell you how to create an altar, but I will bet you “dollars to donuts” that you already have unintentional altars!

It may be a bookshelf with pictures and trinkets from your childhood, a windowsill with plants and crystals, a fireplace with candles and pinecones – or all the above. But what really gives the altar space power is the “work” you do there.

If you don’t have an intentional altar, why not create one?

Choose a space in your home from one of your “unintentional altars” and place your intention for this to be that liminal space – that doorway – where you commune with your dead. With time and practice, this space will begin to feel different than the rest of your home.

A Few Tips:

• Create an intentional altar and commit to a practice. It could be as simple as a 10-minute meditation, a quick “hello” to your dead, or as complicated as performing the LBRP (Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram.) Feel free to do what you wish.
• Have an altar already? Clean it and freshen it up for Fall. You may want to add things that have “Fall” meaning for you – or even remove something that has lost its meaning.
• If you want to seek guidance from your ancestors, place a bowl of Kananga Water on your altar as an offering. It helps remove interference so you can get a clear message.
• Add fresh flowers and/or apples as an offering for your dead.
• Take a tip from the trees: Shed who or whatever takes time away from your true self.

Again – these are a few suggestions – but whatever you do – DO SOMETHING!! And do what feels right to you!